Oral Healthcare Practices and Awareness among the Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder Children: A Multi-Center Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of the parents of autistic children toward oral health and the practice of oral hygiene habits. A questionnaire was constructed, validated, and distributed to the parents of autistic children at different autistic centers. The questionnaire was divided into three parts: demographic information on the parents of autistic children, the knowledge and attitudes of parents toward oral health, and the practice of oral hygiene habits in the current population. A total of 206 responses were collected. Irrespective of the parents' educational and employment statuses, most second children were diagnosed with autism, and most of the parents have four or more children. In terms of knowledge and attitudes toward oral health, a total of 90.30% of the patients were aware of the oral healthcare of their child, and 55.80% of parents take them to the dentist for checkups. Moreover, the response to the practice of oral hygiene habits from the parents was positive, and most of the parents assist in the oral hygiene practices of their autistic children. This study showed that most of the parents appeared to have satisfactory knowledge about oral health practices for autistic children. However, additional studies should also be conducted.

Knowledge of Caries Risk Assessment Among Dental Students in Riyadh Region Saudi Arabia.

Background: Caries is a preventable dental disease; further, it is associated with many risk factors. If risk factors are identified and evaluated in time, prevention can be achieved. Aim: Present study attempts to assess the knowledge of caries risk evaluation among dental students in Riyadh using a cross-sectional observational study design. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 390 dental students, interns, from the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. Questionnaire was developed to assess knowledge about Caries Risk Assessment (CRA). Questionnaire included ten straight statements with options for acceptance or refusal by marking true or false. Results: About 10.3% of the participants accepted dental caries as transmissible disease. About 69.5% of the participants think White spot lesions as carious lesions. 66.9% predict radiographic approximal lesions are disease indicators. Conclusion: Majority of the participants possessed knowledge about caries risk assessment, although prevention-oriented knowledge needs to be improved because knowledge of caries inducing aspects and risk of occurrence among clinicians help to deliver tailored preventive measures and appropriate execution of treatment.